Friday, June 28, 2013

Often we hear to succeed we need to work hard but working hard is not enough. As Oprah Winfrey once said “ Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow”.

Talent, hard work is not enough. You need to do research and analysis, understand the business model of the people you work with.You need to be a storyteller, be passionate, you need a strategy, discipline, preparation is key. Brand building is discipline.

What do those who succeed have in common? Focus.Your brand needs to have an intelligent, thoughtful and defined point of view (POV). A good example of that is Carole Brodie who was the first to offer her line of dazzling colorful and detailed jewelry and products on HSN and who now has annual revenues in the 30 Million dollars.

Only the strongest survive. So look at the market and ask yourself: Does your brand deserve a corner of the sandbox? Ask yourself these questions:

1- Are you a brand or a manufacturer?2- Are your original?3- Who is your hero brand and how did they do it?4- Who are your competitors; creatively, in the market?5- Why would anyone buy your product?6- Why would a retailer carry your line?

SWOT: Are you ready to sell?Sales calls, trade shows, market visit, they are all job interviews for your brand. Make an in-depth analysis of your internal and external factors that determine potential and ultimately, your success in the marketplace. Internal perspective include a list of your strengths on the positive side and weaknesses on the negative side. External would be opportunities and threats.Now to get started you need to do the following:1-Understand your industry2- Join a trade organization to stay current on the industry. Be informed. For example the luxury market of 2013 shows a willingness to buy again but with these criteria: customers are looking for excellent value, subtle understated luxury, top quality within the category of goods, uniqueness, design & functional excellence, and personal meaning (like monogram jewels which are hot these days).3-Enter design competitions4-Join mentoring programs5-Volunteer6-Network but define what value you can offer to others7-Understand your market: what can you offer that is new? What does the market needs? Find the void.8-Dream big: are you the next big thing?9-Stay open, ask questions10- Adapt, change, grow11-Be your “Sunday Best”, all the time!Your success Ladder should look like this:1- Brand Point of view. Make sure to have one.2- Quality & pricing. 3- Competition. Understand it.4- Communications. This is your voice5- Distribution platforms and strategy. Think beyond the usual.Ask yourself: Are you needed?1- Develop your point of view. Your POV should be 30s long. Call it the elevator pitch.2- What is your voice?3- What makes your truly unique?4- Is there a need for you?5- What is the demand for your product?6- Who is the consumer who will buy your line?7- Who is the retailer that sells to that consumer? And why does he need you?

Consider market demand versus innovation. “ If I had asked the public what they wanted, they would have said “faster horses”-Henry Ford on creating the T-Model car.

Authentic Versus Original - Authentic brands are passionate about their core, transparent, energized. Brand authenticity is itself an outcome—the result of continuous, clear, and consistent efforts to deliver truth in every touch point. It is worthy of belief and trust. Examples of authentic brands include Nike, Starbucks, Apple, Virgin, Target, Tiffany, Chanel, BMW… And once you have brand awareness, a name recognition and a loyal following you can have fun with your partnerships in advertisements.Branding Intelligence Mantras1-Protect the halo of your brand: Define strength, define positioning create a visual code that best expresses brand voice, be focused, single minded, determined and patient.2-Every decision is a branding moment3-Think of your sustainability and long term vision: What is your signature element? How will your collection evolve? How will you manage changes in fashion, trend and behavior? How will you manage growth and support your business partners?4-You must tell your story ALL the time! If you tell it enough, someone will listen5-Seek best in class even outside your industry. For example, Chipotle is a brand worth studying.6-Keep checking: Who is your customer? Does your customer need, understand or buy your product? Is your pricing strategy right for your customer? Is your message adequate for your customer? Are you using communication strategies that reach your customer? Are you selling where your customer shops?7- Remember marketing is about telling your story and social media marketing is about getting your customers to tell it for you. Think Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest….Brand Voice Versus Designer Voice

1-Good content travels far2-Get media trained 3-Know how to sell4-Develop a personal style5-Ask for what you need6-Have a thick skin7-Be able to reinvent yourself And finally there is your small circle which is your comfort zone, STEP OUT OF IT!, this is where the magic happens.

Guest Postby Natalie Leseine, Atelier LeseineI am excited to be able to offer these Seminar write ups - I am rarely able to cover the massive seminar schedule and still do the shows justice. So this years a couple of friends offered to attend a seminar and report on it.

Natalie Leseine is the owner and award winning design talent behind Atelier Leseine. Born in Paris, now residing near San Francisco, Nathalie Leseine's first love affair with jewels started in Paris when she would walk along the Place Vendôme in Paris, her creativity took flight spying enticing jewels in Cartier's windows — and at Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels and Chaumet. Her first step in design her Pearle Captive Collection was an award winning hit!"A fusion of cultures, of forward designs with classic sensibilities is the vision behind the jewelry by Atelier Leseine". Nathalie Leseine

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Since the inception of e-commerce, Retailers have tried to develop a means to provide online service that is seamless when compared to in store services. This new App from Jeff Cooper goes beyond the in store experience...you can from the comfort of your couch - try on every ring in the Jeff Cooper catalog (not just the styles available from the retailer in your area) - stack multiple styles - or just try the wedding band with her Engagement Ring - take a photo of her favorites and share them with friends on her favorite Social platforms!

Fun new app lets brides try on Jeff Cooper rings anytime,
anywhere. After making its debut earlier this
month at JCK's Luxury show in Las Vegas, Jeff Cooper's new virtual try-on app
is now available to the public. The New York jewelry designer expects the app
to revolutionize the way consumers shop for wedding jewelry.

Now available throughthe App Store, the app is tailored to the specific needs and desires of
brides-to-be, who can now try on unlimited rings with no geographic or time
constraints. Consumers will be free to experience the designs in a completely
fun, relaxed and personalized way.

The app finds your
favorite rings, shows you how you look in them, takes and shares photos
socially, and connects you with an authorized retailer with one click. For a
live look, the mirroring function puts the jewelry on you in real time. While
trying on, customers can click on the pricing icon, compare similar and
matching items, and even watch a product video.

After testing the app
on luxury retailers in Las Vegas, David Cooper – who is the President of the
company – noted, "People really loved it. They were engaged using it, and
everyone thought it looked great. We're excited to be bringing our designs to
an even wider audience."

About Jeff Cooper

40 years ago, Jeff
Cooper began designing rings that exude timeless styling, taking what he knew
to be beautiful and making it refined and precise. Either David or Jeff Cooper
personally inspects each ring before it leaves the shop, to ensure that it's
the perfect reflection of all the emotions and memories it symbolizes.

Gem Diamonds Limited (LSE: GEMD) announced the recovery of a 100 carat, white, Type IIa diamond from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho on 22 June 2013.

This rough diamond is the third diamond over 100 carats in size to be recovered from Letšeng since May this year. The recovery of a 164ct D Colour Type IIa diamond, which was sold for US$9 million into a partnership arrangement; and the recovery of a 103 carat yellow diamond, sold on tender, were both announced on 31 May 2013.

Letšeng’s June export achieved an average price of US$2 087 per carat, for a total value of US$22 million. This compares to an average value of US$1 599 per carat which was achieved for the first three tenders in the year.

About Gem Diamonds:

Gem Diamonds is a leading producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho as well as the Ghaghoo mine, currently in development in Botswana. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, top colour, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world. Since Gem Diamonds’ acquisition of Letšeng in 2006, the mine has produced four of the top twenty largest white gem quality diamonds recorded.